Yorkregion.com - Wheels - Entry level Dodge Caliber generous in size and content
Entry level Dodge Caliber generous in size and content
The 2008 Dodge Caliber, a compact crossover with trademark Dodge styling and a sport utility attitude.
Wheels
Dec 21, 2007 01:33 PM
2008 Dodge Caliber
By: Rob Beintema
Looking for a compact car that’s a little different? They don’t get much more different than the Dodge Caliber. With its angular lines, big shoulders and blocky style, the Caliber is quite a departure from its predecessor, the goby-eyed Neon, or excuse me, SX 2.0.
Dodge DNA has been stamped across the Caliber design from the trademark, truck-like crosshair grille up front to the big liftgate and spoilered tail end.
The Caliber’s only been with us for a year or so but it has already been tweaked for 2008. Dodge has introduced new blue and black exterior paints. They’ve added a new slate gray interior, Sirius satellite radio and new chrome accents inside, bumped and shifted the list of option packages and further refined the engines and transmissions for smoother operation and less noise. And, of course, they’ve also added a new model for 2008, sort of the ultimate Caliber, the 285 hp SRT4. But it has had enough hype and coverage so I’ll concentrate on my middle-of-the-lineup SXT tester instead.
The Caliber looks big for a compact. And, from the inside, it feels bigger still. The unique crossover body shape disguises the GS compact platform with tall cabin space and utility along with a dash of SUV personality. The breadth of macho design elements doesn’t exactly clash, but it does set a tone of styling eccentricity that makes the Caliber, as I said before, just a little different.
Let’s get one element of weirdness out of the way. The Caliber uses its headlights as daytime running lamps. Signal for a turn and the headlamp next to the flashing signal turns off. I can’t quite figure out why it does that but this peculiar trait is common to more Chryslers than just the Caliber. Go figure.
There are other oddities of design that set the Caliber apart but in the rest of these cases, they are innovative features rather than flaws. And they show that the designers were open to new ideas, thinking outside of the box rather than just being content with building another run-of-the-mill econocar.
Take for example:
* The floor console armrest that has 3 inches of adjustment forward and back with a lid that can flip-forward to cradle either your cellphone or an MP3 player that can be jacked directly into the audio system.
- An available dual-purpose, self-recharging removable domelight that is mounted in the headliner above the cargo area and that can snap out of the bezel to serve as a flashlight. Now, that’s original.
- The Chill Zone, an air-conditioned, cooled-beverage storage bin, one of three available glove box compartments. It can hold up to four 20-oz. bottles or cans.
- An available 115-volt outlet in the center console that can power electronics. Perfect for charging my camera on the way to a photo shoot and a feature (similar to Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix) that really should be available on all vehicles.
- Easy-to-find illuminated front cup holder rings that glow blue-green in a tone to match the centre-stack lighting. This is just the leading edge of a wave of ambient lighting that will sweep the industry over the next few years.
- The MusicGate Power Sound Group, an available nine-speaker Boston Acoustics premium sound system with subwoofer that includes two articulating speakers packaged in the liftgate. When the liftgate is open, the speakers can swing down to face rearward. Perfect for tailgating, but if you take this camping, I will find you and cut your tent ropes in the middle of the night.
These features, some standard, some optional, complement an extensive list of included equipment like side-curtain air bags, an inflatable knee blocker, AM/FM single-disc CD stereo with auxiliary audio input jack, tire pressure monitoring, an outdoor temperature gauge, 60/40 split-fold rear seats, tilt steering wheel, carpeted load floor with tie-down loops in the cargo area, and a rear wiper.
Under the hood, customers can choose from four engines - 1.8-litre, 2.0-litre, 2.4-litre and 2.4-litre turbo that make 148 hp, 158 hp, 172 hp, and 285 hp respectively. There’s also a VW-derived diesel for the Euro crowd but no inkling of its appearance here anytime in the near future.
Along with this array of world engines, the Caliber boasts a second-generation Continuously Variable Transaxle (CVT2) and it is also Chrysler’s first compact to offer variable valve timing (VVT), all-wheel-drive capability and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control.
For 2008, Dodge Caliber comes in front-wheel-drive configuration on the SE, SXT, R/T and SRT4 models. All-wheel-drive capability is available on the R/T model.
My SXT tester was bolstered by a Sport Package that, among other options, added red-coloured inserts in the seats to match the centre stack, similar in spirit to the colour keyed interior trends set by the PT Cruiser. The Caliber is easy to get used to, slightly “trucky” in nature and performance, its SUV spirit elevated by the shallow windshield and gun-slit side windows. Yet it is roomy and spacious in front and back while its compact car beginnings allow for nimble handling and maneuverability. And while the power in anything but the SRT4 won’t exactly blow you away, it is an acceptable performer with fuel economy ratings bolstered by the tech-savvy engines and CVT2 transmission.
With all those model trims, engine selections, reasonable price levels and its inherent 5-door seating versatility and cargo room, the Caliber certainly offers a wide array of choices when it comes to compact transportation solutions.
Definitely worth a comparison test drive.
DODGE CALIBER 2008 AT A GLANCE
BODY STYLE: Compact crossover.
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, FWD or AWD(R/T).
ENGINES:
- 1.8-litre (148hp/125lb-ft) 8.5L/6.8L/100km (city/hwy)
- 2.0-litre (158hp/141lb-ft) 9L/7.3L/100km (city/hwy)
- 2.4-litre (172hp/165lb-ft) 9.6L/7.8L/100km (city/hwy)
- 2.4-litre turbo (285hp/265lb-ft) 10.9L/7.4L/100km (city/hwy)
SAMPLE MSRPS:
- SE FWD - $15,995
- SXT FWD - $17,995
- SXT Sport FWD- $18,990
- R/T FWD- $21,995
- R/T AWD- $25,295
- SRT4- $24,995
WEBSITE: dodge.ca